Teacher absence due to mental health

Summary

A request was made for teacher absence days due to mental health from 2018-19 to the present, but the authority disclosed data with limitations regarding catering staff inclusion and school types. The response provided specific absence figures for primary and secondary schools, noting structural changes in data recording after June 2021.

Key Facts

• The data covers primary and secondary schools only, excluding other staff categories due to reporting limitations.
• Data recorded prior to June 2021 includes catering staff, whereas data post-June 2021 excludes them due to a structure change.
• The figures include personal, work-related, and unclassified absences related to mental health.
• The request was received on 8th February 2022 and the response was issued on 7th March 2022.
• The most recent data provided covers the period from 1st September 2021 to 31st December 2021.

Data Disclosed

• 2313
• 2499.5
• 3501.5
• 1610
• 2018-2019
• 2019-2020
• 2020-2021
• 01/09/2021
• 31/12/2021
• June 2021
• 2241605

Original Request

How many days of staff absence have there been among teachers broken down by academic year since (and including) the 2018-19 academic year to the current academic year so far as a result of mental ill health?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Policy, Strategy and Governance Division Department of Education, Sport and Culture Thie Slieau Whallian Foxdale Road St John’s IM4 3AS Telephone: (01624) 685808 Website: www.gov.im/dec Email: dec@foi.gov.im Our ref: 2241605 7th March 2022

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 8th February 2022 and which states:

"Can you confirm how many days of staff absence there have been among teachers broken down by academic year since (and including) the 2018-19 academic year to the current academic year so far as a result of mental ill health?"

Our response to your request is as follows: At the time of processing your information request, unfortunately we have not been able to provide you with the information that you have requested, in the exact format that you require. We have encountered some reporting limitations, which are presently subject to ongoing investigation. As such, the data outlined within the below table only looks at secondary schools and primary schools. It should also be noted that the data recorded prior to June 2021 includes primary and secondary catering staff and due to a structure change the data recorded post June 2021 does not include primary and secondary catering staff. With acknowledgement given to the above limitations I have detailed below the information that is being released to you. Please note the below figures include personal, work related and unclassified absences that relate to mental health. Academic Year Staff absence due to mental ill health (in days) 2018-2019 2313 2019-2020 2499.5 2020-2021 3501.5 2021 – Present (01/09/2021- 31/12/2021) 1610 Please quote the reference number 2241605 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded. If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.